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Flatbed vs. Wheel-Lift: How We Tow Your Junk Car Safely

Category: Logistics Updated: 2026 Read Time: ~4 min

Not all tow trucks are the same. Learn the difference between flatbed and wheel-lift towing, and which one your junk car needs for a safe removal.

The Right Tool for the Job

When you call {businessInfo.name} to sell your car, one of the first questions we ask is: “Does it have wheels and keys?” We aren’t just being nosey. The answer determines which truck we send.

Using the wrong truck can result in:

  1. Damage to your driveway (gouges from dragging).
  2. Damage to the car (oil pan ripped off).
  3. The driver arriving and being unable to load the car (wasted time).

Here is the definitive guide to our towing fleet and how we decide which one you need.

1. The Flatbed Carrier (The Heavy Hauler)

This is the truck you probably picture when you think of “towing.” It has a long hydraulic bed that slides back and tilts down to the ground.

How It Works

  1. The bed tilts down to form a ramp.
  2. A powerful winch cable is hooked to your car’s frame (or tow eye).
  3. The car is pulled entirely fast onto the deck.
  4. The bed tilts back up to level.
  5. The car is strapped down by all 4 wheels.

When We Use It (The Good)

  • Totaled Cars: If the wheels are bent, locked, or missing, we can drag it up the bed (skating it on plastic blocks if needed).
  • AWD / 4WD Vehicles: Subarus, Audis, and 4x4 Trucks must be towed on a flatbed to prevent destroying the transmission (unless the driveshaft is disconnected).
  • Long Distance: It is the safest way to transport a car at highway speeds.
  • Classics: If you are selling a “barn find” restoration project, a flatbed ensures no parts fall off during transport.

The Downside (The Bad)

  • Space: These trucks are HUGE. They need roughly 40-50 feet of straight-line clearance to load a car. They cannot make tight turns in narrow alleys.
  • Height: They cannot fit in parking garages.

2. The Wheel-Lift Wrecker (The Snatch Truck)

These are the smaller trucks often used for repossession or city towing. They have a metal yoke (grid) that extends from the back.

How It Works

  1. The driver backs up to the vehicle (front or rear).
  2. The yoke slides under the tires.
  3. Hydraulics lift one end of the car off the ground.
  4. The other two wheels roll on the ground.

When We Use It (The Good)

  • Parking Garages: Low clearance? No problem.
  • Alleys & Tight Driveways: If your car is buried behind a garage in Riverwest or Shorewood, a wheel-lift can maneuver into spots a flatbed can’t dream of.
  • Parallel Parked Cars: With a “dollies” system, we can drag a car sideways out of a tight spot.

The Downside (The Bad)

  • Drivetrain Issues: If we lift the front of a RWD car (or rear of FWD), we can destroy the transmission. We usually use “dollies” (extra wheels) to lift the other end, but this takes time.
  • No Wheels = No Go: A wheel-lift needs… wheels. If your car is on blocks, this truck is useless.

3. Special Scenarios

”The Car Has No Wheels”

If you sold the rims separately, or the tires are rotted off. Solution: We send a Flatbed. The Trick: The driver uses plastic “skates” under the rotors/drums so the car slides up the metal bed without gouging the concrete.

  • Warning: This scratches the pavement slightly. If you have a pristine paver driveway, let us know! We can use plywood.

”The Car is Stuck in Mud/Snow”

Spring in Wisconsin means mud. Solution: We send a truck with a Winch out cable. The Trick: We need a solid anchor point. The driver might need to chain the truck to a tree or another vehicle to get enough leverage to pull your sunken car out.

”I Lost the Keys and the Steering is Locked”

If the wheels are turned sideways and locked, dragging the car is a nightmare. Solution: We use Go-Jacks. These are mechanical jacks that lift the wheels off the ground so we can push the car by hand to straighten it out before winching.

What You Need to Tell Dispatch

To ensure the right truck arrives, please answer honestly:

  1. Are all 4 tires inflated? (Flat tires are harder to roll).
  2. Does the car steer? (Do you have keys?).
  3. Is it 4WD / AWD?
  4. Is it in a garage or outside?
  5. Is there clearance for a big truck?

Summary:

  • Flatbed: Best for wrecks, 4WD, and no-wheels. Needs space.
  • Wheel-Lift: Best for city streets, garages, and tight alleys.
  • Honesty: Saves everyone time.

At {businessInfo.name}, our fleet is ready for anything. Call us to book your specialized pickup today.